Orange White Chocolate Cake Recipes

WHITE CHOCOLATE, ORANGE & CRANBERRY CHRISTMAS CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Rub a little butter over the base and sides of two 20cm cake tins (use cake tins rather than sandwich tins as the higher sides work better), then line the base and sides with baking parchment. Melt 150g butter with 100g of the chocolate in a bowl set over a small saucepan of gently simmering water - make sure the base of the bowl doesn't touch the water. Stir the butter and chocolate every min or so until it has melted. Set aside to cool a little.
• Meanwhile, measure 250g flour, 2 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp bicarb and 250g sugar in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle and add 150g yogurt, 2 tsp vanilla extract, half the orange zest and juice, 3 eggs and 2 tbsp milk. Whisk everything together, then stir in the melted butter and chocolate.
• When the cake mixture is smooth (this makes a very wet pourable batter), divide it equally between the two cake tins. Bake on the middle shelf for 25-30 mins, they will look golden and evenly risen when cooked. Check they are done by pushing a skewer into the centre of the cakes - it should come out clean. If there is any wet cake mixture on the skewer, return the cake to the oven for a few more mins, then check again.
• Leave the cakes to cool in their tins for 5 mins, then transfer to a cooling rack. Wash out the tins and repeat steps 1 and 2, to make two more sponges in total. You can make them a day or two before icing, then wrap them in a double layer of cling film once cool. They can also be frozen for up to two months.
• To make the compote, simmer the cranberries and sugar in a small pan for 4-5 mins until jammy, then leave to cool.
• For the icing, melt the chocolate, either in 20-30 secs bursts in a microwave or in a bowl over simmering water. Set aside to cool a little. Roughly mash the butter and icing sugar together, then beat until smooth with an electric whisk or mixer. Add the chocolate and cream cheese and beat again until smooth.
• To assemble the cake, place one sponge on a cake board the same size as the sponge, then sandwich the other sponges on top with a little icing and the cranberry compote. Use the cake with the neatest edge, flipped upside down, on top to give your cake a good shape.
• Pile about half the remaining icing on top of the cake and use a palette knife to spread it thinly over the top and down the sides of the cake. This is a crumb coat, it catches any crumbs, ensuring the final layer looks clean and professional. Chill the cake for 10-20 mins to firm up the icing or leave it somewhere cool for longer. Spread the remaining icing over the top and sides of the cakes, giving it nice sharp edges. We've left some of the cake exposed for the 'naked' cake look, or cover it completely if you like. Will keep for three days.
• To decorate the cake: dot the top with meringue kisses that you've either bought or made yourself, edible snowflake decorations and gold leaf, if you like.See our guide to decorating a Christmas cake 3 ways for details on this design along with more decorating ideas.

WHITE CHOCOLATE ORANGE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
• Using a Microplane zester, remove the zest from the orange. Set aside 1 tablespoon for the cake and leave the rest for the icing.
• Juice the orange. Keep 1/4 cup for the cake and leave the rest for the icing.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until combined.
• Beat in 1/4 cup orange juice and the buttermilk or sour milk (see Note).
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
• Beat for 3 minutes on medium speed.
• Fold in the orange zest (reserve the remaining zest for the icing).
• Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
• Sprinkle the white chocolate chips on top of the batter.
• If they do not sink in, tap pan gently once on the counter.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until lightly browned and cake tests done in center.
• Glaze:.
• While cake is baking, melt the orange marmalade and butter in the microwave about for 45 seconds.
• Stir to combine.
• Brush the glaze over the top of the warm cake as soon as it comes out of the oven.
• Then let cake cool on a rack to room temperature before adding icing.
• Icing:.
• Combine the confectioners' sugar with the cream cheese and about 1 teaspoon of orange juice until smooth.
• Add a little more juice or milk if too stiff.
• Mix in the remaining orange zest.
• Scrape into a zip-top bag, press out the air, and seal.
• Cut a small corner from the bottom of the bag and drizzle the icing over the top of the cooled orange cake in a zig-zag pattern.
• Note: You can easily make sour milk: Measure 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or distilled vinegar into a 1 cup measure, then add enough milk to make 1 cup. Plain yogurt may also be substituted for the buttermilk or sour milk.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Mix together the softened butter and 1 tablespoon of the cocoa to make a thick paste. Use this paste to paint the inside of the Bundt pan. Set aside.
• In an electric mixer, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and remaining 1/2 cup cocoa and mix until blended. Add the orange juice, mayonnaise, vinegar and vanilla and mix until just combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Fold in the orange zest. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean, 45 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, and then turn out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
• For the chocolate glaze: Mix the confectioners' sugar and cocoa together. Whisk in the orange juice, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a good consistency to drizzle. Drizzle the glaze over the cake.

ORANGE & WHITE CHOCOLATE SPONGE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Butter two 20cm round sandwich tins and line the bases with baking parchment. Tip the sugar into a mixing bowl and add the softened butter and orange zest. Beat for 1 min or so until pale and fluffy, then beat in the egg yolks. Sift the flour and baking powder over the cake mixture and fold in lightly. Finally, fold in the almonds and orange juice. Whisk the egg whites until they just hold their shape. Fold one-third of the egg white into the cake mix, using the whisk. Repeat with another third, then the final third. Take care not to over-mix or you will lose the lightness of the egg whites.
• Divide the cake mix between the prepared tins and bake for 30-35 mins. Cool in the tin for 5 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack, peel off the lining paper and leave to cool.
• To make the icing, melt the chocolate over a pan of barely simmering water or in the microwave on High for 1½ mins, stirring every 30 secs, then leave to cool. Whip the crème fraîche until thick, then fold in the white chocolate. Set one cake on a serving plate or cake stand. Spoon half the icing onto the cake and top with the other cake. Spread with the rest of the icing, then allow to set in the fridge for at least 1 hr.
• If you want to make the decorative curls, melt the chocolate in a bowl over simmering water or in a microwave and spread thinly over a baking tray. Leave the tray in the fridge for the chocolate to harden a bit, then use a cake slice or angled knife blade to scrape chocolate curls. Pile the curls in the middle of the cake and serve cut into slices.